One of the most amazing features of the mainline Pokemon games is the enormous backwards compatibility with previous games in the series. Sun and Moon are the 7th generation of Pokemon games and it’s possible to import Pokemon from as back as Ruby and Sapphire–the 3rd generation!

While you don’t need to import your old Pokemon to enjoy these games, eventually you’ll probably want to do so to help complete your Pokedex or whatnot. Still, with so many games out there, it can be difficult plotting a route to your old friends, which is where we come in!

Direct Compatibility¶

Pokemon Bank

At the time of writing, Pokemon Bank is your one and only connection with the rest of the Pokemon universe. Some time during January 2017, there will be a free update to Pokemon Bank that will allow you to transfer Pokemon between Pokemon Sun and Moon and Pokemon Bank.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Special Demo

If you have the Special Demo available on the same 3DS (or 2DS) as Sun or Moon, you can send any items or the special Ash-Greninja from the demo to Sun or Moon. None of this is essential, but the Ash-Greninja cannot be obtained elsewhere and the items are a nice bonus.

Indirect Compatibility¶

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You’ll need Pokemon Bank to transfer your amazing collection.

Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire - 6th Generation

Pokemon acquired in any of the 6th Generation games can be sent straight to Pokemon Bank–and thus can be transferred to Sun and Moon after the January 2017 update. Easy peasy. You simply need to have Pokemon Bank available on the same 3DS (or 2DS) as your 6th generation game(s).

Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow (Virtual Console) - 1st generation

No, your eyes are not fooling you. You can indeed transfer Pokemon from the very first generation to Sun and Moon, but only if they come from the 3DS Virtual Console editions. Around January 2017, at the same time as the Pokemon Bank update, there will be an update to the Poke Transporter companion app.

After the update is available, you can use Poke Transporter to transfer Pokemon from the Virtual Console Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow to Pokemon Bank. To do so, Pokemon Bank, Poke Transporter and the 1st generation Virtual Console game must all be available on the same 3DS (or 2DS).

Pokemon Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 - 5th Generation

Pokemon caught in the Unova region can be transferred using Poke Transporter, just like the Pokemon from the 1st generation games. Likewise, you’ll need Pokemon Bank, Poke Transporter and the 5th generation game all available on the same 3DS (or 2DS).

Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and Soul Silver - 4th Generation

This is where things get a bit more complex. Now you’ll need two DS or 3DS systems, one with a copy of a 4th generation game and the other with a copy of a 5th generation game. In the 5th generation game, you need to access the in-game PokeTransfer feature and transfer wirelessly.

Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed and LeafGreen - 3rd Generation

Finally we come to the end of the road. For this, you’ll need a DS. Insert a 3rd generation game into the GameBoy Advance cartridge slot and a 4th generation game into the DS card slot. In the 4th generation game, you can use the in-game Pal Park feature to transfer between the games.